The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-09
ELEcTINe SENATORS.
Reasons why They should BE Chosen
by Direct Vote-Rcprescntati
Iittle's Bill.

erly attorney general of that state
being asked for his views on his pro
posed amendment to the constitution
for the election Of senator's by the peo-
pie said:
There is, of course. nothing new IL
the idea of choosing senators by popu-
lar election II had able and dlstin-
guished advocacy in the convent Oh
which framed the constitution. Mr..
Wilson, OF Pennsl lvana. urged the
popular election principle with great
force, and Gen. Hamilton supported 1t.
but II modified FORM He proposed the
election OF senators by the people, but
through electors chosen expressly for
the purpose. Mr.. Madison himself
though supporting the indirect election
was not decidedly adverse to the popu-
lar vote
"ile thought if the election by the
people would be Il better security
against corruption it was matter to-
be considered.
"lhere was quite u number OF
schemes advocated for the selection of
senators. Election by the house, by
the president. by the states, by the
people in districts by electors specially
chosen had their advocates.
"And ! venture to say that whoever
reads the debates in the light of orr
history will fail to extract therefrom
sound and satisfactory reasons for the
selection made from these various
plans. The truth is, back in that time
the statesmen had certain distrust of
the people. They were still akin to
their English, Dutch, and French
ancestry. I'm the selection Of their
rulers they wanted the refinement OF.
filtration. rs some Of them expressed
il. Another said the evils which beseE
the coniederacy come from the tribu-
lence, rs every one knew, of democracy
$50 the plan was finally agreed upon
that the executive, the iud cary. and
he senate should be chosen, not direct
Iy by the people, but through agencies
a remove or two from them.
"Tfe people soon took into theirown
hands the election OF president and
while the cumbersome and dangerous
machinery OF the electoral college re-
mains they virtually elect the president
rs il voting by states directly for him
lnndehty in an ccctor is thing I'M
known and scarcely Thought Of in our
history. lis occurrence would strain
The government most dangerously at its
weakest point. Why should not the
hdirection rs 10 senators be also aban-
ioncd? The most satisfactory results
nave been realized when il has been
practically abandoned. The contest
before the people of Illinois between
Douglas and Lincoln is case in point
There the legislature only registered
what the people had decided. That
contest developed and gave to the
country and the world Abraham Lin
,on.
1.-The last senatorial election in Ohio
s another case in point. Mr.. Sherman
vas in effect us much voted for IN the
election in 1885 for senator bv the re-
oublicans of the state as Mr.. Foraker
was for governor So il was in Indi--
ana last year with respect to Gen. Har-
'ison. Other instances might be cited
81 do not hesitate to say that such
senator al elections that is. those
where the candidates are before the
people at the election of the leg stature,
which is to simply record their decree
are altogether more satisfactory in
'esults and in every other way.
1.-THE present method of election is
founded upon distrust of the people.
which our history shows 10 be unwar-
'anted. The argument that ifthe prin-
,iple can not be trusted the agent can
lot, has no answer in this case; but the
converse is not true
There is reason aside for this
change. OF course | refer to the power
md use of money. 1t, in notable in.
stances of our receut history, has de-
ermined the election of senators. do
not care 20 elaborate ON this. The sub
cct is in every mind. Ii is also in
sverybody's knowledge how d liicut
lot to say imposs BILE, it is under the
present system to applr the corrective.
The popular election would be lon.
step in that direction. in my opinion.
"Ilow does your amendment differ
from Others on the subieciP'
II think IL j. more specific. iuicui>
1 TO be seli-cXccul NJ. / give coue,rss .
he right to liz tie Terms oi Ire firt
senator's from new states in order th.t
the constitutional idea that one third of
he senate being elected every two
Fears may be conformcd TO as nearly
as possible.
IL have just thrown IN the amend
ment as so much Of q conir bat on to
l.. ]. It-